“My life will never be the same.”

You never know how many Jin Shin Jyutsu treatments people will request. Some of the patients I worked with at the university cancer center here in Lexington I saw for more than 8 years.  Some I saw only once. I saw patients only for their first chemotherapy treatment and some through their final days. Others had profound sessions yet they still disappeared.  Many said it was the difference maker in their quality of life. It’s really all over the map and I can take no credit for any of it, seemingly positive or negative. People come, get what they need, and return when they’re ready.

James was a cocky, small stature man who burst into my treatment room early in my first year at the cancer center offering me his help. “I’ve been around here a long time and I know lots of people. If you need anything or want to meet anyone, let me know.”  He was a long time lymphoma patient and everyone in the cancer center knew him. He decided that he’d see what this Jin Shin Jyutsu thing was all about.

He lay down on my table and quickly fell asleep. I didn’t notice anything unusual or profound in the treatment as we spent our hour together.  When we were through however, James rose from the table, turned and looked deep into my eyes with a serious stare.

“My life,” he said, “will never be the same.” He put on his shoes, picked up his coat and walked out. 

I didn’t hear from James for six months. Then he made a series of appointments and cancelled them all. One day his wife called. James was asking for me to treat him upstairs in the hospital. He was not doing well. Of course I’d come.

I worked with James every day I was working at the cancer center. After each session he’d look at me with those same strong eyes and say, “You’re coming back tomorrow, right?” I did, for 2 months and treated him on his final day on the planet. With each treatment he appeared more and more radiant.